Virtual activities provide children with special needs a safe, flexible way to learn, connect, and grow from home. They help with social, emotional, cognitive, and motor skill development through structured online programs tailored to individual needs. Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:
- Skill Development: Activities like music, movement, art, and interactive storytelling enhance learning and confidence.
- Digital Tools: Platforms like Huddle Up Care and apps like Evernote and Google Drive simplify therapy and support.
- Creative Outlets: Virtual art sessions, music programs, and museum tours encourage self-expression and exploration.
- Practical Tips: Personalize activities, use visual aids, and provide sensory tools to ensure engagement and success.
These programs empower families to create meaningful learning experiences and foster emotional connections – all from the comfort of home.
How to teach children with special needs online?
Digital Tools and Equipment
Digital tools turn virtual activities into engaging experiences for children with special needs.
Online Therapy Solutions
Huddle Up Care has facilitated over 1 million virtual sessions, boasting a 94% retention rate and a 9/10 clinical quality rating.
Keith Blackson from Prince George’s County Public Schools highlights the accessibility these tools provide:
"Huddle Up gives everyone the right zip code, and gives everyone the opportunity to have access [to care]"
Platforms like Kanga offer therapists and educators features that comply with HIPAA and FERPA standards, such as:
- Interactive therapy games
- Digital assessments
- Customizable content libraries
- Interactive whiteboard tools
Support Technology
Digital tools help organize therapy programs and improve communication among caregivers, therapists, and educators. For example:
- Evernote: Tracks therapy sessions and stores multimedia resources.
- Brown Bear Calendar: Manages schedules with color-coded notifications.
- Google Drive: Simplifies team file sharing.
- Lotsa Helping Hands: Coordinates community support like meals and transportation.
Sensory-Focused Apps
Mobile apps play a key role in addressing sensory needs and building skills. For instance, the Socially Speaking™ Social Skills Assessment Protocol iPad App, designed by Autism Specialist Penina Rybak, shows how targeted apps can support social skill development.
Karen Totman from Maine School Administrative District 75 shares her thoughts:
"The [Kanga] platform allows for each student’s therapy to be highly individualized. It makes planning and creating materials to meet individual needs and interests easier than other platforms."
For digital tools to be effective, parents, teachers, and therapists must work together to choose and implement the right ones. Aligning tools with a child’s sensory and developmental needs ensures meaningful and engaging online activities, setting the stage for the next steps explored in the following section.
Online Activities Guide
These online activities use digital tools to create engaging experiences for children with special needs. They provide opportunities for learning, self-expression, and skill development – all from the comfort of home.
Music and Movement
SPIRIT Club‘s virtual platform makes movement activities accessible and fun. Their classes feature multiple instructors teaching at various ability levels. Activities include:
- Zumba sessions designed for different needs
- Seated fitness routines
- Boxing-inspired exercises
- Mindfulness practices
- Activities led by self-advocates
Chrome Music Lab offers interactive musical experiments, and The Music Circle program uses virtual music sessions to help children build confidence and express themselves through music, no matter their ability level.
Beyond music, virtual art sessions offer more ways for children to express their creativity.
Arts and Crafts
Art activities help children explore their creativity while improving motor skills.
Helpful Tools and Tips:
- Use large pastel chalk for easier grip
- Create stamp art with items like egg cartons
- Add modeling clay to drawing tools for better handling
- Secure materials with non-skid backing or tape
"Crafts for kids with motor disabilities are no different, really. They are a tool to help kids with different abilities express themselves creatively, build confidence, and strengthen their fine and gross motor skills." – CoachArt
CoachArt’s mixed media art clubs incorporate natural materials, like leaves, alongside traditional art supplies. This adds sensory elements to virtual sessions, making them even more engaging.
For a different kind of creative experience, virtual museum tours bring art and history to life.
Digital Museum Tours
Google Arts & Culture makes museum experiences accessible from home, offering virtual access to over 1,200 museums worldwide. Highlights include:
- The British Museum’s Great Court tour
- The Guggenheim’s iconic spiral ramp
- The J. Paul Getty Museum’s extensive art collection
- The National Museum of Anthropology’s Mayan artifacts
Children can explore at their own pace, zoom in on details, revisit favorite exhibits, and take breaks as needed. The platform also features 360° Street View tours, offering an immersive way to explore art, history, and culture in a structured, child-friendly format.
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Tips for Better Results
Building on the digital tools and activities mentioned earlier, these suggestions can help ensure virtual interactions meet each child’s specific needs.
Making Activities Personal
Customize activities to align with your child’s abilities and interests. Here are some key points to consider:
- Current Skills: Design activities that match your child’s existing abilities and encourage developing play skills.
- Engagement: Pay attention to how engaged your child is and adjust activities to maintain interest.
- Learning Preferences: Some children respond better to activities centered on shared interests rather than conventional social methods.
As mentioned earlier, shared interests are a powerful way to help children with autism build relationships. Once activities are personalized, adding structured visual and sensory tools can further boost involvement. More on that in the next section.
Using Support Tools
After tailoring activities, enhance them with straightforward visual, sensory, and communication aids. Here are some ideas:
- Visual Aids: Use photos, simple written guides, or cartoon illustrations to provide clear instructions for activities.
- Sensory Items: Create a "Break Box" with items like stress balls, fidget toys, weighted blankets, or noise-canceling headphones.
- Communication Tools: Incorporate visual, auditory, or tactile signals to promote understanding and participation.
Parent and Helper Support
Balancing structure with flexibility is key to offering effective support. Try these strategies:
- Clear Instructions: Explain activities in simple terms while maintaining eye contact.
- Behavior Awareness: Look for signs of sensory discomfort, especially if your child can’t express it verbally.
- Consistent Guidelines: Ensure everyone involved in group activities follows the same set of rules.
- Backup Plans: Have alternative activities ready and designate a quiet area for breaks if needed.
Help for Families
Families of children with special needs often face challenges when it comes to virtual support. Friendship Circle offers tailored online resources, providing activities and tools designed to meet each family’s unique requirements.
Friendship Circle Online
Friendship Circle creates meaningful connections through structured online programs. These resources expand on earlier digital approaches, offering both personalized activities and community-based support.
Here’s what’s included:
- Community Events: Regular gatherings to encourage social interaction and develop skills
- Interactive Programs: Over 40 activities designed to improve social, physical, and cognitive abilities
- Personalized Support: One-on-one consultations to match children with the right programs
Programs range from art classes to Sunday Circle sessions, as well as Coffee Chat events for young adults. Families start with an intake meeting to ensure their child’s needs are matched with appropriate programs, all accessible on a secure platform.
Online Learning Tools
Beyond community events, Friendship Circle offers digital learning tools to help children achieve various developmental goals. These include:
- Life skills courses
- Social interaction workshops
- Educational materials
- Real-time activities and guided sessions
- Peer-to-peer connections
To get the most out of these tools:
- Participate Regularly: Establish a consistent routine with year-round programs.
- Stay in Touch: Keep coordinators informed about your child’s progress and any adjustments needed.
- Engage with the Community: Subscribe to newsletters, join parent support groups, and share resources.
Families also receive technical support and orientation sessions to ensure smooth navigation of the platform. Friendship Circle welcomes families from all backgrounds, emphasizing its dedication to inclusivity.
Conclusion
Virtual activities have become a powerful way to support development and foster social connections. By participating in structured online programs, families can create meaningful learning experiences while maintaining a sense of routine.
Karen Wang, a Friendship Circle parent, highlights their value:
"Strengthening emotional bonds within the family can give a boost to social skills, speech, and self-regulation."
Here are some notable benefits:
- Skill Development: Activities that include life skills and sensory experiences encourage personal growth.
- Social Growth: Regular virtual interactions help build communication skills and social confidence.
- Family Bonding: Shared online experiences provide moments for emotional connection.
When applied consistently, these approaches can lead to noticeable progress. Digital tools and structured programs, like those mentioned earlier, offer a safe and supportive environment for growth and connection. As technology advances, it continues to open new doors for creating enriching and secure opportunities for every child’s development.